I just got this, and I think it’s great!
A few companies have banded together in the pursuit to make protocols like Remote Device Management (RDM) adhere to a standard that goes industry-wide – and hopefully at some point ALL lighting industries-wide. The Institute for Feedback Excellence is going to try to accomplish this feat; Enttec, Martin Professional, and Wybron are heading this effort. More details below in the press release:
INSTITUTE FOR FEEDBACK EXCELLENCE LAUNCHED
A new nonprofit organization wants to ensure every piece of lighting equipment
using industry-wide feedback protocols performs at the highest standard possible.The Institute for Feedback Excellence, www.fbexcellence.org, will enable lighting
manufacturers to test their feedback-enabled products – for now, those using Remote
Device Management – to make sure they’re compatible with other feedback devices.The organization’s three founders are Enttec Pty. Ltd. of Australia, Martin Professional
A/S of Denmark, and Wybron, Inc. of the U.S. All three manufacturers have strongly
embraced the RDM industry feedback standard.“Our goal here is not to break trail for new protocols. That is being handled very capably
by ESTA and PLASA and the committee members who work diligently to advance the
technical standards used in lighting control,” said Jeremy Kumin, Enttec’s U.S. Sales
Manager. “What we are trying to do is help the customer feel secure that when they rent
or buy something using this new technology, it’s going to play as well as it should with
other equipment.”Enttec and Wybron have been integrating industry-standard feedback protocols into their
products for several years. While coming to the issue more recently, Martin is an
enthusiastic partner whose gear is recognized and used all over the world, making
compatibility with their products a desirable goal for any other manufacturer.The organization’s initial focus will be RDM, the ESTA-approved feedback protocol also
known as E1.20. At labs located around the world, companies can test their RDM-enabled
gear against open-source standard tests that, when passed, yield the product the
“IFE Verified” seal of approval.Companies can also choose to perform the tests at their own facilities by using one of
IFE’s portable labs. This will ensure complete confidentiality for manufacturers
concerned about protecting proprietary information.A list of approved devices and their manufacturers will be posted on the IFE Web site,
and manufacturers of these approved devices will automatically become Sustaining
Members of the organization.“It’s really all about the customers – making sure that when they buy RDM equipment,
it’ll work like they want it to, and it’ll be compatible with RDM equipment made by
different manufacturers,” said Wybron President Keny Whitright.For more information, e-mail info@fbexcellence.org or visit www.fbexcellence.org.
Thanks, Jen!
